Real-Time Location Information System Using Multiple Positioning Technologies

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and computer program products for tracking objects in an area of interest are described. According to an embodiment, an object is tracked as follows. First position information relating to the object is received from a first sensor and translated to a coordinate system of a map. The object is displayed on the map in accordance with the translated first position information. Second position information relating to the object is received from a second sensor, where the second sensor is based on a second positioning technology different from the first positioning technology. The second position information is translated to the coordinate system of the map, and the object is displayed on the map in accordance with the translated second position information. In an embodiment, other information relating to the object is also received from sensors.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/874,539, filed. Oct. 18, 2007. This application incorporatesby reference in its entirety U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/874,539.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to location informationsystems, and more particularly to location information systems that usemultiple positioning technologies.

2. Background Art

Positioning technologies for determining the location of an object arewell known. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) includes aconstellation of orbiting satellites. A GPS receiver uses signals fromthese satellites to determine its location, speed/direction, and time.

Radar is another positioning technology that uses electromagnetic wavesto identify the range, altitude, direction, and speed of both moving andfixed objects such as aircraft, ships, motor vehicles, weatherformations, and terrain.

A variety of location-related applications exist that use suchpositioning technologies. For example, truck tracking systems existwhich employ GPS technology to track trucks as they travel through thecountry.

However, a location-related application typically employs only a singlepositioning technology. The use of a single positioning technology is adisadvantage as it is subject to single point of failure outages. Theuse of a single positioning technology is also a disadvantage because itis often difficult for any given positioning technology to providecomplete coverage of any given area of interest.

Existing location-related applications are also flawed because they donot inherently support the addition of other positioning technologies.For example, a GPS based application (such as the truck tracking examplementioned above) cannot easily be modified to add devices that are basedon radio-frequency identification (RFID) positioning technology.Instead, such modification is typically only possible through a timeconsuming and costly system overhaul. Such inflexibility of existinglocation-related applications make them ill-suited for enterprises thatmust be able to adapt quickly and inexpensively to changes in missionand positioning technologies.

Therefore, what is needed are improved location information systems,methods and computer program products that are capable of employingmultiple positioning technologies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to system, method and computer programproduct embodiments for tracking objects in an area of interest.According to an embodiment, an object is tracked as follows. Firstposition information relating to the object is received from a firstsensor, where the first sensor is based on a first positioningtechnology. The first position information is translated to a coordinatesystem of a map, and the object is displayed on the map in accordancewith the translated first position information. Then, as the objectmoves, second position information relating to the object is receivedfrom a second sensor. The second sensor is based on a second positioningtechnology, where the second positioning technology is different fromthe first positioning technology. The second position information istranslated to the coordinate system of the map, and the object isdisplayed on the map in accordance with the translated second positioninformation.

In an embodiment, other information relating to the object is alsoreceived from sensors. Such other information is displayed on the mapproximate to the coordinates of the object.

In an embodiment, new sensors can be added. In an embodiment, the newsensors are based on positioning technologies different from those ofthe existing sensors. Addition of new sensors include programming. Suchprogramming includes information sufficient to enable translation fromcoordinate systems of the new sensors to the coordinate system of themap.

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments thereof, are described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is notedthat the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments describedherein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposesonly. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a real-time location information system that usesmultiple positioning technologies, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a mobile device used in an example real-time locationinformation system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating how objects are tracked in an examplereal-time location information system, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a location information system, according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a data flow block diagram of a location information system,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a locationinformation system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for defining and processingalerts, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example computer useful for implementingcomponents of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart for programming a new sensor, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example tabular report, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an example graphical user interface for defininga new alert, according to an embodiment of the invention.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbersgenerally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurallysimilar elements. Generally, the drawing in which an element firstappears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Overview and OperationalExample

The present invention is directed to system, method and computer programproduct embodiments for obtaining, translating, storing, mapping,displaying, querying and using location information. Embodiments of theinvention employ multiple positioning technologies, including anycombination of GPS, RFID, WLAN (802.11), bar code, biometric, video,computer and cellular technologies, although the invention is notlimited to these examples. Instead, embodiments of the invention areapplicable with any positioning technologies, existing now or developedin the future.

Embodiments of the invention are operable with sensors or other devicesbased on such positioning technologies. According to an embodiment,sensors based on any positioning technology can be easily added to thelocation systems of the invention.

These and other features of embodiments of the invention shall now befurther described with reference to an example environment 101 shown inFIG. 1. This environment 101 includes an office building 104 and awarehouse 136 that are separated by an open area 132. A locationinformation system 103 tracks and identifies the location of a user 128as the user moves through the environment 101.

In an embodiment, the user 128 carries a mobile device 130, an exampleof which is shown in FIG. 2. This example mobile device 130 includes aRFID Reader 202, RFID tag 204, WIFI module (transceiver) 206, bar codereader 208 and bar code 210, all of which are well known elements. Moregenerally, mobile devices 130 may include any combination of theseelements, as well as other elements the nature of which will be apparentto persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachingsprovided herein.

The operation of location information system 103 as user 128 movesthrough environment 101 shall be described with reference to an exampleflowchart 302 shown in FIG. 3. In step 304, the user 128 with the mobiledevice 130 enters the office building 104 using an identification (ID)card. The ID card may or may not be integrated with the mobile device130. A card reader 110 reads the ID card and, assuming the user 128 hasappropriate clearance, the card reader 110 causes door 112 to open.According to an embodiment, card reader 110 sends information tolocation information system 103, where such information indicates thatdoor 112 has been opened using user 128's ID card. (Such information maybe sent by any wired or wireless means.) From this information, locationinformation system 103 determines that user 128 is at door 112, andupdates a map of the environment 101 with user 128's location.

In an embodiment, card reader 110 also sends to location informationsystem 103 information read from the ID card. Such information read fromthe ID card may include, for example, the user 128's name, department,authorization level, height, weight, etc., or any combination thereof.In an embodiment, location information system 103 associates suchinformation with user 128, and displays such information adjacent touser 128's location in the map of environment 101.

In step 306, user 128 uses a biometric reader 114 to gain access to asecured area 106. Biometric reader 114 may be any well known biometricdevice, such as a fingerprint scanner, eye scanner, voice analyzer,etc., or any combination thereof. Assuming user 128 has appropriateclearance, biometric reader 114 causes door 116 to open. According to anembodiment, biometric reader 114 sends a signal to location informationsystem 103, where such signal indicates that door 116 has been openedbased on a biometric scan that matches characteristics of user 128. Fromthis signal, location information system 103 determines that user 128 isat door 116, and updates the map of the environment 101 with user 128'slocation.

In step 308, one or more video cameras 118 record user 128 as he movesthrough the secured area 106. According to an embodiment, cameras 118send to location information system 103 information that is used todetermine the user 128's position in secured area 106. For example,video camera(s) 118 may send to location information system 103 videotaken of user 128 as he moves through secured area 106. Using well knowntechniques, location information system 103 may analyze such videoinformation to determine and track the location of user 128 as he movesthrough secured area 106. For example, using well known techniques,location information system 103 analyzes such video information toidentify user 128 in the frames of such video information, and to alsoidentify other objects in secured area 106. In an embodiment, locationinformation system 103 is programmed with the location of such otherobjects. Accordingly, at any point in time, location information system103 determines the location of user 128 in secured area 106 byidentifying the objects user 128 is proximate to. Location informationsystem 103 updates the map of environment 101 with the user 128'slocation as he moves through secured area 106.

In step 120, user 128 enters office 106. RFID reader 122 reads the RFIDtag 204 in user 128's mobile device 130. RFID reader 122 sends a signalto location information system 103 indicating that user 128's RFID tag204 was just read. From this signal, location information system 103determines that user 128 is in office 106, and updates the map of theenvironment 101 with user 128's location.

In an embodiment, RFID reader 122 may also read other information fromRFID tag 204 in the user 128's mobile device 130. RFID reader 122 sendssuch information to location information system 103. Locationinformation system 103 associates such other information with user 128,and displays such information adjacent to user 128's location in the mapof environment 101.

In an embodiment, other information is obtained and sent to locationinformation system 103 when RFID reader 122 reads user 128's RFID tag204. For example, a heat sensor 124 may sense the current temperature ofoffice 106, and forward such temperature information to locationinformation system 103. Location information system 103 displays suchtemperature information in the map of environment 101, proximate to thelocation of user 128.

In step 312, user 128 logs into computer 126. According to anembodiment, computer 128 sends information to location informationsystem 103, where such information indicates a log-on using user 128'spassword. From this information, location information system 103determines that user 128 is located adjacent to computer 128, andupdates the map of the environment 101 with the user 128's new location.

In step 314, user 128 leaves office building 104 and enters the openarea 132. In an embodiment, WIFI routers 134 are positioned in area 132.These WIFI routers 134 communicate with the WIFI transceiver 206 in theuser 128's mobile device 130, and send information reflecting suchcommunication to location information system 103. Location informationsystem 103 uses such information from WIFI routers 134 to triangulate onuser 128's location in area 132, using well known techniques. Forexample, location information system 103 can determine the location ofuser 128 by analyzing the relative signal strength of mobile device130's WIFI transceiver 206 at WIFI routers 134. This is similar to wellknown techniques for triangulating on the position of a cellulartelephone by analyzing the telephone's signal strength at multiple celltowers. The location information system 103 updates the map ofenvironment 101 with the user 128's location as he moves through area132.

In step 316, user 138 uses a bar code reader 138 to gain access towarehouse 136. Bar code reader 138 reads the bar code 210 on user 128'smobile device. Assuming user 128 has proper clearance, bar code reader138 causes door 140 to open. According to an embodiment, bar code reader138 sends information to location information system 103 indicating thatthe user 128's bar code was read, and that door 140 was opened. Fromthis information, location information system 103 concludes that user128 is located at door 140, and updates the location of user 128 on themap of environment 101.

In step 318, the RFID reader 202 in the user 128's mobile device 130(and/or a RFID reader that is located in the vehicle the user 128 is in,such as a forklift) reads location RFID tags 142 positioned throughoutwarehouse 136. Such location tags 142 may be positioned in the floor,walls, or furniture of warehouse 136, or in any other location/object ofwarehouse 136. RFID reader 202 notifies location information system 103as it reads RFID tags 142. In an embodiment, RFID reader 202 maycommunicate with location information system 103 using WIFI transceiver206, although any other well known communication means may alternativelybe used. Since location information system 103 knows the location oflocation tags 142, it is able to determine the location of user 128.Accordingly, location information system 103 updates the location ofuser 128 on the map of environment 101 as user 128 moves throughwarehouse 136.

In step 320, user 128 uses the RFID reader 202 in his mobile device 130to read the RFID tag 146 of an object 144, to retrieve information onthe object 144. An adjacent location tag 142A is also read. Thisinformation is sent to location information system 103. Since locationinformation system 103 knows the location of location tag 142A, locationinformation system 103 can deduce the location of both user 128 and theobject 144. Also, note that heat sensor 148 is adjacent to location tag142A. When location tag 142A is read, or via other triggering mechanism(such as an alert, as described below), heat sensor 148 sends thetemperature of its location to location information system 103.Accordingly, location information system 103 updates the location ofuser 128 and object 144, as well as the temperature of the proximatearea, on the map of environment 101.

As should be apparent from the example of FIG. 1, embodiments of theinvention include any combination of the following features:

-   -   Location information system employs sensors or other devices        that are based on multiple positioning technologies.    -   Location information system determines the location and tracks        objects as they move through an area of interest.    -   Location information system determines/deduces location of an        object using information provided by sensors.    -   Location information system translates the location information        received from sensors, that may be in the format of varying        coordinate systems, to a form that is consistent with the        coordinate system of the map of the environment 101. (This is        described below)    -   Sensors provide information related to the object being tracked        to the location information system. The location information        system associates such information with the object.    -   Location information system inherently supports multiple        positioning technologies. Accordingly, additional sensors can be        added to any given location information system in a        straightforward manner that is time and cost efficient.

These and other features of embodiments of the invention are furtherdescribed below.

2. Location Information System—Structural Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a location information system 402 accordingto an embodiment of the invention. The location information system 402includes a visualization/query system 406, a location information engine408, connectors 410, and database 412.

Location information system 402 operate with sensors 404. Sensors 404are any well known devices that generate location information, such asGPS devices, radar devices, etc., or any well known devices thatgenerate information from which location can be determined or deduced asdescribed herein, such as RFID readers 122, card readers 110, biometricreaders 114, video cameras 118, WIFI routers 134, bar code readers 138,cellular devices, etc. Sensors 404 may be based on any positioningtechnology. Sensors 404 may also include other devices that generateinformation of interest, such as heat sensors, motion sensors, moisturesensors, etc.

Location information engine 408 is coupled to sensors 404 via connectors410. Location information engine 408 interprets the information receivedfrom sensors 404 to determine or deduce the location of objects ofinterest (such as user 128 in the example of FIG. 1). Locationinformation engine 408 displays the location of such objects on a map414 of an area of interest.

The map 414 is defined according to a coordinate system, such as thegeographic coordinate system (that defines locations based on latitude,longitude, and altitude/height/depth), the spherical coordinate system(that defines locations based on the radial distance of a point from afixed origin, the zenith angle from the positive z-axis, and the azimuthangle from the positive x-axis), the Cartesian coordinate system (thatdefines locations based on x, y, and z coordinates), the polarcoordinate system, as well as any other well known or custom coordinatesystem.

Some sensors 404 (such as GPS and radar devices, and WLAN and cellulartriangulation techniques) provide location information to locationinformation engine 408. Such location information may not be in thecoordinate system of the map 414. In such cases, the locationinformation engine 408 translates such location information to thecoordinate system of map 414. Algorithms and techniques for translatingfrom one coordinate system to another are well known.

Other sensors 404 provide information from which location informationengine 408 must determine or deduce location. For example, in theexample of FIG. 1, card reader 110 provides information to locationinformation engine 408 that indicates that door 112 has been opened foruser 128. Since location information engine 408 knows the location ofdoor 112, location information engine 408 determines/deduces that user128 is located at door 112.

Similarly, when user 128 enters office 106, RFID reader 122 sends amessage to location information engine 408 that it read the RFID tag 204in user 128's mobile device 130. Since location information engine 408knows the location of RFID reader 122, location information engine 408determines/deduces that user 128 is located in office 106.

As described above, sensors 404 provide other information to locationinformation engine 408. Such information may include the informationread from the user's ID card by card reader 110, information read fromthe RFID tag 204 by RFID reader 122, information related to the user 128provided by computer 126, information read from the bar code 210 by barcode reader 138, as well as information provided by other sensors, suchas but not limited to heat sensors 124, 148. In an embodiment, locationinformation engine 408 associates such information with the object inquestion (this is described further below in Section 3). In anembodiment, location information engine 408 displays such informationadjacent or proximate to the associated object in the map 414.

Location information engine 408 stores the information received fromsensors 404, as well as other information relating to the map 414 (suchas the translated location information), in database 412.

Sensors 404 are coupled to location information engine 408 viaconnectors 410. Connectors 410 may be general purpose input/output ports(GPIO) or any other well known interfaces for connecting sensors 404 orother peripherals to computing devices. Connectors 410 are programmableto enable the location information engine 408 to interpret informationprovided by sensors 404. For example, programming for a given sensor 404includes sufficient information to enable location information engine408 to translate from the coordinate system of the sensor to thecoordinate system of map 414. The programming of connectors 410 andadding sensors 404 to location information system 402 are describedfurther below in Section 3.

Visualization/query system 406 represents a user interface to map 414.Through visualization/query system 406, operators may view and trackobjects on the map 414, as well as query the database 412 and setalarms. The visualization/query system 406 is further described inSection 3.

3. Location Information System—Operational Embodiment

An embodiment of the location information system 402 shall now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to an example flowchart 602illustrated in FIG. 6, and further with reference to a data flow diagram502 shown in FIG. 5.

In step 604, sensors 404 may be added and linked to the locationinformation system 402. As noted elsewhere herein, such sensors 404 mayemploy any positioning technologies. A new sensor 404 is coupled tolocation information system 402 via a connector 410. In an embodiment,the connector 410 comprises a physical interface to location informationsystem 402, such as a GPIO port or any other well known computerinterface. Connector 410 also comprises associated programming. As notedabove, such programming enable the location information engine 408 tointerpret information provided by sensors 404. For example, programmingfor a given sensor 404 includes sufficient information to enablelocation information engine 408 to translate from the coordinate systemof the new sensor 404 to the coordinate system of map 414.

For example, FIG. 9 is a flowchart 902 for programming a new sensor 404according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 904, an operatoridentifies a connector 410 to which the new sensor 404 will be coupled.As noted above, some sensors 404 (such as GPS and radar devices, andWLAN and cellular triangulation techniques) provide location informationto location information engine 408. For those types of sensors 404,steps 906 and 908 are performed. In step 906, the operator identifiesthe native coordinate system of the new sensor 404. For example, thecoordinate system of the new sensor 404 may be any well known coordinatesystem, such as the geographic coordinate system, the sphericalcoordinate system, the Cartesian coordinate system, the polar coordinatesystem, etc., or any custom coordinate system. As noted herein, wellknown methods, procedures and techniques exist for translating betweencoordinate systems. In step 908, the operator provides any additionalinformation pertaining to the new sensor 404 that may be needed totranslate from the coordinate system of the new sensor 404 to thecoordinate system of map 414. For example, if the new sensor 404 has acustom coordinate system, then information defining that customcoordinate system would be provided in step 908. Alternatively, scaleinformation may be provided in step 908. Other information provided instep 908 will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

As noted above, there are other sensors 404 that do not providecoordinate information. Instead, these other sensors 404 provideinformation from which location information engine 408 must determine ordeduce location. For such sensors 404, steps 910 and 912 are performed.In step 910, the operator enters the location of the new sensor 910. Forexample, the coordinates of RFID reader 122 in office 106 would beprovided in step 910. In step 912, the operator indicates the type ofinformation or message that the location information engine 408 shouldexpect to receive from the new sensor 404. For example, the operator mayindicate in step 912 that the location information engine 122 willreceive a RFID tag identifier when RFID reader 122 reads an RFID tag,and that location information engine 122 should associate the locationof RFID reader 122 with the object associated with such received RFIDtag identifier.

Referring again to FIG. 6, in step 606, sensors 404 transfer positioninformation 504 to location information engine 408. As noted above, suchposition information 504 may comprise actual location coordinates fromsensors 404 based on or using, for example, GPS, radar, and/orcellular/WLAN triangulation techniques. Such position information 504may instead comprise information from which location information engine408 determines or deduces the location of an object (for example, asignal from bar code reader 138 that it read the bar code 208 of user128's mobile device 130, in which case location information engine 408deduces that user 128 is located at door 140).

Sensors 404 also transfer other information 505 to location informationengine 408. As described above, such additional information 505 mayinclude information read by card reader 110 from ID cards, informationread by RFID reader 122 from RFID tags 204, as well as informationprovided by other sensors, such as heat sensors 124 and 148.

In step 608, location information engine 408 translates the positioninformation 504 to the coordinate system of map 414 to obtain translatedposition information 507. For example, the position information 504 maybe expressed in terms of the geographic coordinate system (that defineslocations based on latitude, longitude, and altitude/height/depth),whereas the map 414 may be expressed in terms of the Cartesiancoordinate system (that defines locations based on x, y, and zcoordinates). Procedures and processes for translating betweencoordinate systems are well known. Of course, step 608 is not performedif position information 504 is already expressed in the coordinatesystem of the map 414. It should be noted that reference to thegeographic coordinate system and the Cartesian coordinate system is madefor purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Embodiments of theinvention are adapted to operate with any well known or customcoordinate system.

In step 610, location information engine 408 associates the translatedposition information 507 (or received position information 504) and theother information 505 with the object for which such information 504,505 was generated. There are various methods by which locationinformation engine 408 can associate information 504, 505, 507 withobjects. For example, consider the case in FIG. 1 where computer 126notifies location information engine 408 when user 128 logs in, and alsoprovides to location information engine 408 other information 505related to user 128. In an embodiment, such notification 504 and otherinformation 505 are sent to location information engine 408 in a singlemessage, so association inherently results. In another embodiment, suchnotification 504 and other information 505 are sent in multiplemessages, but the messages include a common identifier, so associationresults from such common identification. In another embodiment, suchnotification 504 and other information 505 are sent in multiple messagesthat do not include a common identifier, but association results bynoting that the messages originate from a common source (i.e., computer126) over a short span of time. Other methods for associatinginformation 504, 505, 507 with objects will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant arts based on the teachings provided herein.

In step 612, location information engine 408 displays the object on themap 414, according to the translated position information 507 of theobject (or, alternatively, based on the position information 504 wheresuch position information 504 is natively expressed in terms of thecoordinate system of the map 414). Other information 505 associated withthe object is also displayed on the map 414. In an embodiment, suchother information 505 is displayed adjacent to or otherwise proximate tothe object's location in the map 414.

It is noted that the information received, processed and generated bylocation information system 408 is stored in database 412.

In step 614, the visualization/query system 406 enables operators toview the map 414. Visualization/query system 406 also enables operatorsto search the map 414, and to query the database 412. In an embodiment,queries include tabular and visual queries. A tabular query is a querythat displays its search results in tabular form.

Example results of a tabular query are shown in FIG. 10, where the querywas “Show the locations of object associated with TagID=771177110000000F.” As a result, the tabular results in the example ofFIG. 10 indicate the X and Y coordinates of this object on map “Mapa.”

A visual query is a query that displays its search results in somethingother than a tabular form, such as a graphical or multimedia form. Forexample, the query from the above example, “Show the locations of objectassociated with Tag ID=771177110000000F,” if executed as a visual query,could result in the display of a map on which the object's positionsover time are plotted.

The visualization/query system 406 also enables operators to definealerts. FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 702 for defining and processingalerts, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In step 704, visualization/query system 406 enables an operator tocreate a new alert. Generally, an alert includes (a) a condition, and(b) an action taken if the condition is satisfied. Example alerts areshown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Example Alerts Condition Action User 128 enters secured area 106Notify security User 128 leaves office building 104 Notify securitySomeone enters office 106 Obtain temperature reading from heat sensor124 A perishable good is found in Obtain temperature reading fromwarehouse 136 (identified by heat sensor 148, and notify security ifscanning the good's RFID tag) temperature is greater than 32 degrees

Any user interface can be used in step 704 to enable an operator tocreate a new alert. An example user interface for defining a new alertaccording to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 11-13.According to an embodiment, an operator enters tags to be tracked in atag window 1102 (FIG. 11). The operator could enter specific tagidentifiers, or leave the tag window 1102 blank, in which case all tagswill be tracked. The operator also enters the condition. In thisexample, the operator identifies an area “LEFT” 1202 (FIG. 12), and alsoindicates that the alert is triggered upon “Moving inside/outside Area”1204. The operator also indicates the action, in this case that aMessage 1206 should be displayed when the condition is satisfied. FIG.13 illustrates an incidents report 1302 reflecting operation of thealert.

In step 706, location information engine 408 receives positioninformation 504 and other information 505 (this corresponds to step 606in FIG. 6, described above). Location information engine 408 translatesthe position information 504 (this corresponds to step 608 in FIG. 6,described above), and associates the translated position information 507and other information 505 with the object (this corresponds to step 610in FIG. 6, described above).

In step 708, visualization/query system 406 determines whether thetranslated position information 507 and other information 505 satisfythe condition of any existing alert. If the condition of an alert issatisfied, then in step 710 the visualization/query system 406 causesthe alert's action to be performed.

4. Example Computer Embodiment

In an embodiment of the present invention, the system and components ofthe present invention described herein are implemented using well knowncomputers, such as computer 802 shown in FIG. 8. For example, locationinformation system 402 can be implemented using computer(s) 802.

The computer 802 can be any commercially available and well knowncomputer capable of performing the functions described herein, such ascomputers available from International Business Machines, Apple, Sun,HP, Dell, Compaq, Digital, Cray, etc.

The computer 802 includes one or more processors (also called centralprocessing units, or CPUs), such as a processor 806. The processor 806is connected to a communication bus 804.

The computer 802 also includes a main or primary memory 808, such asrandom access memory (RAM). The primary memory 808 has stored thereincontrol logic 828A (computer software), and data.

The computer 802 also includes one or more secondary storage devices810. The secondary storage devices 810 include, for example, a hard diskdrive 812 and/or a removable storage device or drive 814, as well asother types of storage devices, such as memory cards and memory sticks.The removable storage drive 814 represents a floppy disk drive, amagnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device,tape backup, etc.

The removable storage drive 814 interacts with a removable storage unit816. The removable storage unit 816 includes a computer useable orreadable storage medium 824 having stored therein computer software 828B(control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unit 816 represents afloppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, orany other computer data storage device. The removable storage drive 814reads from and/or writes to the removable storage unit 816 in a wellknown manner.

The computer 802 also includes input/output/display devices 822, such asmonitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc.

The computer 802 further includes a communication or network interface818. The network interface 818 enables the computer 802 to communicatewith remote devices. For example, the network interface 818 allows thecomputer 802 to communicate over communication networks or mediums 824B(representing a form of a computer useable or readable medium), such asLANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. The network interface 818 may interfacewith remote sites or networks via wired or wireless connections.

Control logic 828C may be transmitted to and from the computer 802 viathe communication medium 824B. More particularly, the computer 802 mayreceive and transmit carrier waves (electromagnetic signals) modulatedwith control logic 830 via the communication medium 824B.

Any apparatus or manufacture comprising a computer useable or readablemedium having control logic (software) stored therein is referred toherein as a computer program product or program storage device. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, the computer 802, the main memory 808,secondary storage devices 810, the removable storage unit 816 and thecarrier waves modulated with control logic 830. Such computer programproducts, having control logic stored therein that, when executed by oneor more data processing devices, cause such data processing devices tooperate as described herein, represent embodiments of the invention.

The invention can work with software, hardware, and/or operating systemimplementations other than those described herein. Any software,hardware, and operating system implementations suitable for performingthe functions described herein can be used.

6. Conclusion

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilledin the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the breadthand scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A location information system, comprising: aplurality of connectors; a plurality of sensors positioned at differentlocations, each sensor having a different positioning technology; and alocation information engine coupled to the plurality of differentsensors by the plurality of connectors, the location information engineconfigured to: receive, from each sensor, a position informationrelating to objects; translate the position information received fromeach sensor to a coordinate system of a map; and display objects on themap in accordance with the translated position information.
 2. Thelocation information system of claim 1, wherein the position informationrelating to an object comprises: (a) coordinates of said object; or (b)information from which coordinates of said object are determined.
 3. Thelocation information system of claim 1, further configured to: receive,from each sensor, other information relating to the objects; and displaythe other information on the map proximate to coordinates of theobjects.
 4. The location information system of claim 1, wherein thedifferent positioning technology of the plurality of sensors include aplurality of GPS, RFID, WLAN, card reader, bar code, biometric, video,computer, and cellular.
 5. The location information system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of connectors is configured to: add a new sensorbased on a positioning technology different than the plurality ofsensors.
 6. The location information system of claim 5, wherein theplurality of connectors is further configured to: program the new sensorwith information to enable translation from a different coordinatesystem of the new sensor to the coordinate system of the map.
 7. Thelocation information system of claim 6, wherein the different coordinatesystem of the new sensor is a customized coordinate system, and theplurality of connectors is configured to enable translation using scaleinformation provided in information defining the customized coordinatesystem.
 8. The location information system of claim 1 further comprisinga visualization/query system configured to: receive a first inputcorresponding to an area to be tracked on the map; receive a secondinput corresponding to a condition for the area to be tracked on themap; and based on a movement of the objects, generating an alert whenthe condition is triggered;
 9. The location information system of claim8, wherein the visualization/query system is further configured toperform an action in response to the alert, wherein the action comprisesproviding a notification and receiving a reading from a sensor locatedin the area to be tracked on the map.
 10. The location informationsystem of claim 1, wherein the location information engine is furtherconfigured to: receive, from a sensor of the plurality of sensors,information different than the position information relating to objects;and deduce location of the objects based on the different information.11. A method, comprising: receiving, from a plurality of sensors,position information relating to objects, wherein the plurality ofsensors are positioned at different locations, each sensor having adifferent positioning technology; translating the position informationreceived from each sensor to a coordinate system of a map; anddisplaying objects on the map in accordance with the translated positioninformation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the positioninformation relating to an object comprises: (a) coordinates of saidobject; and (b) information from which coordinates of said object aredetermined.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving,from each sensor, other information relating to the objects; anddisplaying the other information on the map proximate to coordinates ofthe objects.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adding a newsensor based on a positioning technology different than the plurality ofsensors.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: programming thenew sensor with information to enable translation from a differentcoordinate system of the new sensor to the coordinate system of the map.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the different coordinate system ofthe new sensor is a customized coordinate system, and furthercomprising: enabling translation using scale information provided ininformation defining the customized coordinate system.
 17. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: receiving a first input corresponding toan area to be tracked on the map; receiving a second input correspondingto a condition for the area to be tracked on the map; and based on amovement of the objects, generating an alert when the condition istriggered;
 18. The method of claim 18, further comprising: performing anaction in response to the alert, wherein the action comprises providinga notification and receiving a reading from a sensor located in the areato be tracked on the map.
 19. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving, from a sensor of the plurality of sensors,information different than the position information relating to objects;and deducing location of the objects based on the different information.20. A computer program product including a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, ifexecuted by a processing device, cause the processing device to performoperations comprising: receiving, from a plurality of sensors, positioninformation relating to objects, wherein the plurality of sensors arepositioned at different locations, each sensor having a differentpositioning technology; translating the position information receivedfrom each sensor to a coordinate system of a map; and displaying objectson the map in accordance with the translated position information.